BLOOD

AND
DEFENCE AGAINST DISEASE
(Part 1)
Objective:
- Describe the role of blood in defending the body against diseases: clotting
mechanism, role of phagocytes, role of lymphocytes in immune responses

References:
Form 4 Biology Biology for CSEC Exams. – L. Chinnery (Chap. 16)
2020-2021: 2nd term (online) Biology for CSEC Exams. – Atwaroo-Ali (Chap. 13)
Dr. S. Ali.
CSEC Biology – A. Tindale
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Recall: Blood
• Blood is a tissue which consists of a fluid medium in
which cells and cell fragments are suspended.

• Blood has three main functions:

▫ Transport (of several materials, E.g. oxygen, food,
nutrients, hormones, carbon dioxide, etc.),
▫ Heat distribution,
▫ Defence mechanism against diseases caused
by pathogens e.g. viruses and bacteria.
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Recall: Components of Blood

Blood

plasma platelets cells

white
red blood
water nutrients proteins gases hormones waste blood
cells
cells
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Ways in which the body protects itself against

the entry of pathogens
The body’s first line of defence
provides physical and chemical
barriers against pathogens.
• Skin
• Mucous membranes
• Sweat, mucus, tears, saliva
• Stomach acid

The skin acts as a waterproof, self-

repairing barrier against the entry of
pathogens.

Refer to: diagrams illustrating the

body’s first line of defence:
Chinnery pg. 300 Fig. 16.16
Atwaroo pg. 153 Fig. 13.9
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Clot Formation
• Blood clotting helps to prevent the entry of pathogens through a break or
cut in the skin.

• If the wound is small:

▫ The platelets (thrombocytes) in the blood come into contact with the damaged
area and stick to each other,
▫ Forms a platelet plug which stops the bleeding.

• If the wound is large:

▫ Upon exposure to air, the platelets in the blood release an enzyme called
thromboplastin.
▫ Thromboplastin, aided by Ca2+ ions and vitamin K in the blood, starts a series
of chemical reactions which allows the blood to clot.
▫ Two blood clotting factors (substances in the blood involved in blood clotting)
are: inactive, soluble plasma proteins called prothrombin and fibrinogen.
▫ Thromboplastin converts prothrombin to thrombin (active enzyme).
▫ Thrombin, then converts fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin.
▫ Fibrin forms a network of fibres across the wound that traps blood cells and
form a clot.
▫ The clot prevents further blood loss, as well as the entry of pathogens. The
clot develops into a scab.
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Clot Formation
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The Role of Phagocytes

• Recall: Phagocytes – type of leucocytes (WBC),
which engulf and destroy pathogens.
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The Role of Phagocytes

• If tissues become infected by numerous pathogens in a wound
or inside the body, an inflammatory response is triggered.

• Blood vessels dilate, which increases blood flow to the infected

area. This makes the site of infection swollen and red.

• This response increases the permeability of the capillary walls

which allows phagocytes to squeeze out through the capillaries.

• The phagocytes then move towards the site of infection, where

they engulf and digest the pathogens.

• This process is called phagocytosis.

• Phagocytes act as the body’s second line of defence. (Non-

specific response)
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Events in the Inflammatory response and

the role of Phagocytes

See also Atwaroo Figure 13.10 pg. 153

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The Role of Lymphocytes

• If specific (and more harmful) pathogens enter the
body, the lymphocytes become activated to
produce an immune response.

• Recall: Lymphocytes – type of leucocytes (WBC),

which produce antibodies that attack and destroy the
pathogens.
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Antigen and Antibodies

• Pathogens have specific sites on them which are recognised by
specific antibodies. These sites are called antigens.

• When pathogens enter the body, lymphocytes recognise these

antigens (on the pathogens) as foreign and start producing large
quantities of specific antibodies to destroy the pathogens.

• These antibodies can:

▫ Cause the pathogens to clump together (so that phagocytes can engulf
them)
▫ Cause the pathogens to disintegrate
▫ Neutralise the toxins produce by pathogens (antibodies which do this are
called antitoxins)

• The body has acquired an immune response which is highly

specific: only the antibodies for that particular antigen is produced.

• This is the body’s third line of defence.

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Antigen and Antibodies

• Lock and key fit: an antigen combines with an antibody based on
the complementary structure. The better the “fit”, the stronger the
bond is between the two. The shape of the antibody is specific to the
antigen it binds to. An antibody will only bind to one kind of antigen.
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Practice Questions HOME WORK

Reading
Chinnery pgs. 298-305
1. Identify 4 components of blood. (4) Atwaroo pgs. 151-155

2. Complete the table below about the structure and function of two
named leucocytes. (6) Leucocytes Structure Function
1. ___________
2. __________

3. State the role of the following substances in blood clotting:

thromboplastin, prothrombin, thrombin, fibrinogen, fibrin. (5)

4. Describe the role that the skin plays in protecting the body against the
entry of pathogens. (4)

5. What is the difference between an antigen and an antibody? (2)

6. Why is the third line of defence in humans described as a specific

response? (2)